He stood there for minutes without saying anything, taking in the weight of her words.
Looking at Naya now, Caleb came to understand something.
Fear—it was written in all her moves...
She kept a cold face on the outside, but it was clear she was afraid on the inside.
'What the hell is in that true dream anyway?' Caleb's curiosity piqued.
Something that could strike fear to the very core of Naya's soul.
All these cardholders—each were hanging right at the edges of death.
It made Caleb curious. Was his coming here as well also an effect of the card?
Surely, something like that couldn't be entirely removed from the map.
Regardless of what the system was... and the fact that it was hell-bent on turning him into a degenerate.
Caleb knew that he couldn't just let Naya go.
The look in her eye when she made that one reply...
It was clear—for someone who had been so cold and distant to everyone around her—it was safe to say that Naya had never truly had someone to talk to.
Someone she could trust...
She never had a companion...
A friend.
The day they met, Caleb showed her a glimpse of what having one felt like.
The momentary relief that gave her a glimpse of hope, even when it was almost non-existent.
Caleb could see that she was broken, with no one to be by her side.
Maybe the mission of the system wasn't actually meant to just seduce these girls to get their money.
Caleb could tell that there was something more.
Something more than just chasing after their wealth.
And seeing Naya... understanding her... he could finally tell what it actually was.
'I can't let her die, not without living her life to the fullest. Not without experiencing everything she was meant to,' Caleb resolved, tightening his fist.
This entire Group X...
The cardholder game... was only a cruel joke.
Giving them materials and snatching away freedom and peace.
The system wanted him to give these women that freedom and peace they deserved.
'These ladies aren't money-chasing bitches like Sophia. They definitely deserve more,' Caleb thought to himself.
At first, he didn't want to show any sympathy towards these women... He locked his heart. They were nothing more than tools... tools and stepping stones to gain his father's inheritance.
Deep down, the feeling of betrayal had indeed shattered every thread of sympathy he had towards every woman...
But now...
Naya sat by the window side, calmly staring down at the street below.
She heard the shuffling of feet and quickly turned her head to find Caleb walking towards her with purpose.
Even before she could react, she felt his hands wrap around her body, dragging her into a tight hug.
Her eyes lit up—first in surprise, bewilderment, and then shock.
"What are yo—"
"You won't die. I promise you that... I'll make sure of it. You don't have to worry about anything or anyone," Caleb declared, his eyes burning brightly with determination.
Naya's words went down her throat.
She wanted to resist.
But after hearing his words, something within her stirred.
She had never heard someone stand up for her—let alone put themselves in danger for her.
That same confidence that made her pick interest in him.
She wanted to move—only then did she realize how close he was.
His chest pressed against her soft, ample breasts.
Her face turned cherry red.
This was also the first time a guy had gotten so close to her.
Caleb's hug brought her comfort. She was meant to push him away... farther from her, but her hands melted.
She wanted it to last a while longer.
Caleb tightened his hug, his chest pressing hard against her breasts.
"Ahhh~"
Naya let a soft moan slip from her mouth.
"Ha... Get away from me," she stuttered, her face red in embarrassment.
She pushed Caleb away from her, finally regaining a bit of her composure, wrapping her hands around her body.
"Never come close to me like that again!" she yelled, her face red like beets.
{Ding!}
{E-rank attained! Excitement!}
{2X Naya Lucy net worth >>> $4M}
{Your account has been credited!}
Caleb felt his phone vibrate in his pockets.
{Ding!}
{Host has unlocked new tab! (Skills) Check it out in the system interface!}
{Keep up the good work, Host! (•‿•)}
Caleb looked at the series of notifications with genuine shock on his face.
This was a shocker to him—even after hearing what the system was capable of, he couldn't lie that he still had his doubts.
But witnessing it himself...
Caleb momentarily forgot Naya's presence as he pulled out his phone from his pockets slowly. He could hear the drumming of his own chest.
But he didn't stop... until he saw it.
Looking at the last notification that had appeared, Caleb felt his heart almost jump through his mouth.
[You have received $4M from XXX-XXX]
There was only one thought that flashed through his mind at that instant:
'I'M FREAKING RICH!'
Caleb turned to Naya, his eyes sparkling like stars.
Never in his life did he expect to earn so much in an instant.
Caleb was almost at cloud nine.
All his plans crumbling and reforming in his mind.
It was real. The system was definitely not a scam!
Not that he thought so, but seeing was definitely believing.
Caleb envisioned several scenes in his head in a flash.
How much more money would be made if he was to conquer all the cardholders?
His father was the richest in the continent—and surely one of the richest in the world.
But did that really matter?
Finally seeing the system at work fueled his resolve all the more.
To take care of these women.
To make all of them his and to show them all the support and love he could...
While making money all the way.
His eyes gleamed brightly.
'Hell, I'm definitely in for this.'
While Caleb was still in his thoughts, he was oblivious to the expression he had on his face.
A cold and angry voice pulled him out of his thoughts.
"Pervert!"
---